The Azzurre’s Euro 2022 dream was broken after losing 1-0 against the Red Flames, that left Milena Bertolini’s side bottom of their group with only a solitary point to their name. The dark clouds settled over the Manchester City Academy Stadium in the 49^th minute when a Belgium free-kick wasn’t dealt with, and the ball found its way to De Caigny whose left-footed strike gave Giuliani no chance. After a first first half where Italy found it difficult to break up Belgium’s possession and play, their second half reaction wasn’t quite enough, despite hitting the bar through Girelli and finding an inspired Evrard after attempts by Giacinti and Bonansea. Italy bow out of the European Championships knowing they have given everything they had. "We lost a game we didn't deserve to lose," commented a disappointed Coach Bertolini, "This evening, the girls gave everything they had, we deserved something more. We were probably just missing a bit of calmness, but the girls played and they played well. It's an important experience for us that will makes us stronger and better. We now turn the page looking to not repeat the same mistakes, analysing what we did and didn't do well".

The match – In their most important group game, Milena Bertolini once again changed the pack around. In front of the ever-present Giuliani, there was the noticeable absence of captain Sara Gama, who was replaced by Bartoli. Partnering her was Linari, whilst Di Guglielmo and Boattin were chosen as full backs. In the middle of the park, Bergamaschi, Rosucci and Simonetti all kept their place with Giugliano replacing Caruso. Up top, Bonansea was given another chance after her second half impact in the previous game against Iceland, supporting captain for the night Girelli. Italy set off quickly and had the first opportunity of the game before a minute had even been clocked on the board; an error by the Belgian defence allowed Girelli to attack the 18 yard box, where she let fire but Evrard made a smart save low down. Belgium reacted and looked dangerous coming close after six minutes with Eurlings just shooting wide, before Dhont, assisted by Wullaert, was thwarted by Giuliani a few minutes later. Italy’s pressure started to weaken with Belgium taking cntrol in the middle of the park, catching out Italy dangerously in its own half. On 18 minutes, Giugliano’s long range effort flew over the bar, and it was Italy again who tried to break the deadlock after 25 minutes; Rossucci played through Bonansea into the area but her shot was wide of the target. On the half-hour mark, the cooling break allowed some instructions to be handed out and Italy came back out more aggressive and determined, finding some luck down the right hand side with Bonansea and Di Guglielmo causing problems for the Belgium defence. Italy insisted and on 41 minutes had the best chance of the half: a cross come shot from the right side of the area by Bonansea was tipped just wide by Evrard leaving Girelli empty-handed. At the end of the half, the Azzurre had a penalty shout after the ball touched Cayman’s hand but the Croat referee, Martinčić, rightly waved played on. At half time, there was nothing to show for all the hard work whilst France led Iceland 1-0 in the other game.

After the break, the game seemed to be playing itself out in the same way, with the Azzurre on the front foot early on. First, Bonansea from the left hand side put a cross in but the Belgium defence sweeped up, and then Bonfantini, coming on replacing Di Guglielmo, got to the byline but Evrard blocked it out well. Italy were making the right moves and things looked to be in their favour. Instead, the sucker-punch arrived: on 49 minutes, a free-kick was floated into the area and the ball bounced around dangerously between players’ legs; it eventually fell at the feet of De Caigny, whose left foot shot gave Giuliani no chance. Despite the blow, Italy’s reaction was instant knowing that time was running out and qualification getting further away. On 52 minutes, the equaliser looked as though it had come: Bonfantini caused havoc on the right and played in Bonansea, who laid it off for Girelli only for her shot to fly off the bar. After taking the lead, Belgium sat back with Italy pushing to get back in the game. On 68 minutes, Giugliano rung the Belgian alarm bells from a direct free-kick but Evrard wasn’t caught out. On 77 minutes, another chance for Italy with Giacinti getting a give and go with Bonfantini but her right-footed shot was saved by Evrard. It was all one way pressure and on 82 minutes, Cernoia’s long ball to Giacinti was well anticipated by Evrard and on 86 minutes Caruso laid off Bonansea, whose right-footed shot didn’t cause any problems for Belgium. In the closing stages, Belgium's Wullaret struck the post and after seven minutes of injury time, the final whistle was blown. Italy are out of the Euros.

Italy-Belgium 0-1 (0-0 HT)

GOALS: 49’ De Caigny (B)

ITALY (4-4-1-1): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo (46’ Bonfantini), Bartoli, Linari, Boattin; Bergamaschi (80’ Cernoia), Simonetti (68’ Giacinti), Rosucci (58’ Caruso), Giugliano; Bonansea; Girelli (81’ Sabatino). Subs: Schroffenegger, Durante, Gama, Filangeri, Lenzini, Galli, Piemonte. Head Coach: Bertolini

BELGIUM (4-3-3): Evrard; Vangheluwe (66’ Delacauw), Kees, Biesmans, Philtjens; Cayman (90+2’ Missipo), Vanhaervermaet, De Caigny; Dhont (59’ Minnaert), Eurlings (66’ Deloose), Wullaert. Subs: Lemey, Lichtfus, Van Kerkhoven, Wijnants, Vanmechelen, De Neve, Tison. Head Coach: Serneels

Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia)

Bookings: Boattin